Book Arts Courses
This course provides students with a comprehensive introduction to book arts studio practices. Students will learn the safe and proper operation of common equipment in hand papermills, letterpress printshops, and binderies. Through hands-on experiences, readings, discussions, and assignments, students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to begin to undertake the creation of their own handmade books, exploring the rich history and techniques of book arts. This course is suitable for students with no prior experience in book arts.
This course will primarily focus on the history and appreciation of Book Arts traditions and contemporary practices, emphasizing the book as a form of cultural expression. Students will also receive exposure to hands-on technical instruction to understand the evolution of hand-bookmaking practices. Traditional papermaking, letterpress printing, and book binding techniques will be examined in relation to historic book production, modern hand-bookmaking practices, and artistic expression.
This course is an introduction to the history and practice of typography. This course will cover the development and use of typographic design including a global view of the origins of writing systems, the expansion of the written word into print, and the development and refinement of typographic design.
This hands-on studio course is an introduction to the fundamental processes and history of the ancient craft of hand papermaking. Students will learn the step-by-step process to produce contemporary Western and traditional Japanese handmade papers, including pulp preparation, sheet formation, pressing, and drying. By the conclusion of this course, students will develop refined, technical skills and acquire knowledge of the professional methods necessary to produce high-quality handmade paper to suit a variety of practical or creative uses.
This course is an introduction to techniques, history, and practice of letterpress printing. This course will cover traditional practices such as setting type by hand and press operation and will also introduce image-making techniques using relief printmaking processes.
This course provides hands-on experience on the fundamentals of box making as a component of the book arts. Equipment use, material properties, and the development of strong foundational hand skills will be emphasized. Structural concerns and aesthetic issues will be critically examined within the context of end use.
This course is an introduction to the fundamental materials and techniques of traditional bookbinding, with an emphasis on equipment, material properties, and the development of strong foundational hand skills. Through readings and hands-on assignments, students will gain an understanding of the properties inherent in common bookbinding materials and how to use them for high quality work. Several book structures, decorative paper, and fabric techniques will be covered. In addition to the development of good hand skills and proper use of materials, students will look at aesthetic issues concerning book construction.
This course will serve as an introduction to the theories, conceptual concerns, and processes used in contemporary printmaking. Students will gain hands-on experience with processes that are pervasive in twenty-first century print media and book objects, including screen-printing, relief printing using laser cutters, and the creation of cast multiples. The goal is to develop knowledge of analog printmaking methods that still permeate visual culture through the production of fine art objects, books, clothing, and advertisements to name a few.
A zine is a low-cost, self-published work intended for quick dissemination within a community. Zines have been produced for many reasons, including sharing particular knowledge, the preservation of minority and marginalized interests, and the expression of personal narratives. This course introduces the history, culture, and practice of zine production. A variety of zine structures and techniques will be covered. Readings will position the zine in the larger context of self-publishing as community action.
This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of bookbinding and letterpress printing, with an emphasis on the unique conceptual and narrative potentials of the book form. Content generation and design will be explored alongside instruction about studio equipment, studio practice, and the fundamental techniques and materials used in hand book work. Through readings and studio assignments, students will learn about type setting, registration, imposition, and press operation. A variety of book structures that support the creation of artist books will be explored.
The focus of this course is the design and production of an artist book in a small edition. Students and the instructor will work together to determine the themes, structure, text, and imagery for the book. Production labor of the book, including preparation of materials, printing, and bookbinding, will be shared by all students. Because of the highly collaborative nature of the course, projects will vary significantly from semester to semester.
Information Sciences Courses
Introduction to technology and infrastructure management, and information science foundations.
An introduction to the theoretical and practical skills needed to become a skilled digital citizen, someone capable of navigating the complexities of current information and digital landscapes effectively and ethically.
The term "social media" has been applied to Web-based platforms that facilitate communication, collaboration, and network/community-building. This course explores the benefits of social media through the concepts of informatics. Integrated features such as profile, personalization, feed, third-party integration, and linked data are examined in their relationship to information discoverability.
This course introduces the fundamental concepts of programming while integrating cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools that support and enhance the programming process. Emphasis is placed on practical, hands-on learning through projects that combine traditional coding skills with AI-assisted workflows.
Introduction to foundational concepts and core techniques in the organization of information, information systems, and information retrieval.
Reading and discussion in areas of significance in informatics. Variable topics.
Explores theories, skills and techniques in Human-Computer Interaction promoting User Experience/Universal Design, and Human-Centered Design.
Advanced reading, research and discussion in areas of significance in informatics. Variable Topics.
Supervised field experience in informatics. Must meet unit requirements for eligibility to be approved for this course.
Provides the opportunity for an independent project or research under the supervision of an appropriate faculty member.
Library Sciences Courses
Introduction to the critical analysis and appreciation of children’s literature.
Introduction to the critical analysis and appreciation of young adult literature.
Examines the historical, cultural, ethical and practical issues related to small press publishing in both print and digital media.
Examines the history and future of print and digital media for children as well as impact of licensing and commodification of childhood.
Examines international works of youth media and explores representations of global citizenship.
Explores children’s and teens’ interactions with digital content including digital citizenship, media effects, media consumption, and digital and media literacy.
A seminar style course focused on creating a written story or script for a young audience.
Advanced reading and discussion in areas of significance in literature and library studies. Variable topics.
Provides the opportunity for an independent project or research under the supervision of an appropriate faculty member.